GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE English Literature
- The Curious Incident: themes and context
The Curious Incident: themes and context
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
The play explores honesty, family and independence through a young person who sees the world differently.
Context
Mark Haddon's novel was published in 2003. Simon Stephens's adaptation opened at the National Theatre in 2012 and won several Olivier Awards.
The title comes from a Sherlock Holmes story by Arthur Conan Doyle. Christopher admires Holmes's logic.
The title comes from a Sherlock Holmes story by Arthur Conan Doyle. Christopher admires Holmes's logic.
Key themes
Truth and lies: Christopher cannot lie, but the adults around him do.
Family: parents who love him but struggle, and make mistakes.
Independence and courage: the journey and the exam.
Difference: the play encourages empathy for people who experience the world differently.
Family: parents who love him but struggle, and make mistakes.
Independence and courage: the journey and the exam.
Difference: the play encourages empathy for people who experience the world differently.
Form
The play is a play within a play: Siobhan reads Christopher's book, and at times the characters perform it.
It mixes realism with highly theatrical, non-naturalistic staging.
It mixes realism with highly theatrical, non-naturalistic staging.
How does the theme of truth link Christopher and the adults?
- Christopher always tells the truth.
- Ed and Judy both keep important truths from him.
- The contrast makes the audience question adult dishonesty.
Answer: Christopher's honesty exposes the adults' lies, making us question their choices.
Novel 2003, play 2012 (National Theatre). Title from Sherlock Holmes. Themes: truth and lies, family, independence and courage, difference. Form: play within a play, non-naturalistic staging.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.